ASHWAUBENON - An officer who shot and killed a man in September has been cleared of any wrongdoing, authorities said Wednesday.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice on Wednesday released its final report on the death of Dustin M. Kuik, 25, a Two Rivers man who was shot by Ashwaubenon Public Safety Officer Brian Murphy outside the Quality Inn Stadium Area Hotel, 1978 Holmgren Way.

Murphy "acted lawfully, within his capacity as a public safety officer, and exercised his privilege to use deadly force" in the Sept. 9 incident, Brown County District Attorney David Lasee said in a statement.

Kuik was wanted in connection to a Sept. 7 convenience store robbery in Manitowoc County when another officer saw Kuik's car near the hotel, where Kuik and his girlfriend were staying. According to the Justice Department report, police followed Kuik into the hotel parking lot, where he initially refused to get out of the car. Kuik then left the car and began walking backwards toward the hotel with a gun held to his head.

The investigation determined Murphy fired four shots at Kuik as he was entering the hotel lobby, hitting him in the chest and leg. At about the same time, Kuik shot himself in the head. An autopsy determined he died as a result of the shots to his head and chest.

Murphy told investigators that Kuik's refusal to follow commands and his apparent intent to go into the hotel required him to shoot Kuik to protect hotel guests and others in the area.

"Dustin Kuik’s death was a tragic event," Lasee said. "I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to his family and friends. Likewise, this was a tragic event for the officers present that evening; and I would like to extend my gratitude and sympathies to those officers and their families."

Murphy has been on paid leave since the shooting. He is expected to return to full duty next week, Ashwaubenon Police Chief Eric Dunning said in a statement.

Murphy was hired by the department in June 2015.

Kuik's girlfriend, meanwhile, is scheduled for trial on May 3 in connection to the robbery.

Raeana M. Nagy, 24, was arrested Sept. 14 and charged with furnishing a firearm to an unauthorized person, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, obstructing an officer, misappropriating ID information to obtain money, forgery and encouraging a parole/probation violation in connection with the robbery of KK Uni-Mart in Mishicot.

Prosecutors said the gun used during the robbery was bought the day of the crime by Nagy, with Kuik at her side. According to court documents, the pair bought the gun with a credit card belonging to Kuik's grandmother, with Nagy forging the signature at the time of purchase.

dschneid@greenbaypressgazette.com and follow him on Twitter @PGDougSchneider